The Grand Northeast Circuit: Ha Giang, Cao Bang & Ba Be

📍 Distances and journey time: Hanoi - Lam Thuong (258 km): 5 hrs / Leisurely flat road cycling: 8-15 km (depending on fitness level) - around 2.5 - 3 hrs

Depart early in the morning for a five-hour drive heading north, passing through picturesque landscapes until reaching the Lam Thuong Valley. Upon arrival, check into the village followed by a traditional lunch prepared with fresh local ingredients.
In the afternoon, enjoy a peaceful bicycle ride along rural paths, offering stunning views of the surrounding rice fields and mountains. Stop to admire the unique and preserved architecture of the ancient stilt houses characteristic of the Tay ethnic group while learning about their history.
Continue exploring the valley with an introduction to traditional bamboo weaving, guided by a local villager who shares the techniques behind this longstanding craft. At the end of the day, enjoy a stroll through the village, with the opportunity to witness or join in a traditional Tay spinning top game. Subject to favourable weather conditions and the availability of local residents, the walk provides a chance to interact with members of the community and learn more about their traditions.

Dinner and overnight in Lam Thuong.

Notes: 

• Child seat/bikes available on request.
• Be sure to wear comfortable clothes and footwear.
• The programme may change depending on weather conditions.

Inclusions:

🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Distances and journey time: Lam Thuong - Ha Giang (130 km): 3 hrs / Walking & sightseeing route: 5 km - approx. 2 hrs

Start the morning with a visit to the Luc Yen ruby market. Unique in Vietnam, this market is famous for the trade of raw or cut precious and semi-precious stones simply displayed on small wooden tables. Discover the hushed and fascinating atmosphere of this trading place before hitting the road again towards Ha Giang province.
After lunch, arrive on the outskirts of Ha Giang city and begin a walking trek to explore the villages. Follow a loop trail up to Ha Thanh with magnificent karst mountains as a backdrop. Along the way, observe typical landscapes of the region featuring rice valleys, small terraced rice fields and beautiful thatched-roof houses belonging to the Tay minority.

Overnight in Ha Giang.

Notes: 

• Trekking route adaptable for fitness levels.
• Appropriate footwear must be worn on treks.
• Programmes are subject to change depending on weather conditions. 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Distances and journey time: Walking & sightseeing route (4 km): around 1 hr 45 mins / Ha Giang - Dong Van (135 km): 4 hrs

Leave the Ha Giang city area in the morning and drive towards Nam Dam as the rice valleys gradually give way to mountains. Soon, reach the Heaven’s Gate, an iconic viewpoint offering a grandiose panorama over the Quan Ba region. Descend into the small village of Nam Dam, home to the Long-Tunic Dao minority, for a stroll through local fields and houses.
At the end of the stroll, continue to the small village of Lung Tam to visit a Hmong minority cooperative. Here, discover the traditional techniques of linen production, passed down through generations. Committed to a sustainable approach, this cooperative supports local families' autonomy and helps preserve traditions while providing fair income to women artisans. Observe every step of the product manufacturing process.
After leaving the Quan Ba Valley, tackle a magnificent mountain pass leading to Yen Minh, a region boasting large terraced rice fields. Pass through it to enter the Dong Van Karst Plateau, a UNESCO Global Geopark recognised for its geological heritage, biodiversity and cultural wealth, home to over 17 ethnic minority groups.
The landscapes change rapidly, opening up to massive karst mountains and magnificent valleys where every turn is a photo opportunity. Stop at the Tham Ma viewpoint, named after the pass the Hmong once used to test their horses' strength. The route then leads to the Hmong King’s Palace, blending Hmong, Chinese and French influences. Learn more about the history of the Hmong minority, the region's governance in the 20th century and observe vintage photos and relics. Arrive in Dong Van town in the late afternoon.

Overnight in Dong Van.

Notes: 

• Trekking route adaptable for fitness levels.
• Appropriate footwear must be worn on treks.
• Programmes are subject to change depending on weather conditions. 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Distances and journey time: Dong Van - Lung Cu - Meo Vac (75 km): 2 hrs 45 mins / Sky Path walking & sightseeing route: 5 km - approx. 2.5 hrs

If travelling on a Sunday, begin the day with a visit to Dong Van’s weekly market. Held only once a week, the market brings together Hmong, Dao, Tay and Nung communities to trade a wide variety of local products, including vegetables, fruits, meat, farm tools and everyday items. Clothing vendors, mostly Hmong, also sell traditional garments and accessories such as berets.
Leave Dong Van in the morning for a loop drive to Lung Cu, the northernmost point of Vietnam. Wind along a mountain road between villages and beautiful valleys of the Dong Van Geopark, passing within 100 metres of the Chinese border. Upon arrival in Lung Cu, visit the famous Flag Tower, a true emblem of Vietnam. Afterward, continue exploring the neighbouring small village of Lo Lo Chai before driving back towards Dong Van.
In the afternoon, head towards the Ma Pi Leng Pass, an iconic northern pass with exceptional views over the Nho Que River, local hamlets and the immense mountains forming the border with China. At the entrance of the pass, begin a trek along the famous Sky Path, a nickname given to a small cliffside road used by locals. Follow the trail above the river, capturing views of the surrounding mountains and isolated valleys before descending along a smaller path back to the main road on the Ma Pi Leng Pass.
Reboard the vehicle to continue to one of the iconic viewpoints to enjoy exceptional vistas over the grand canyon. Arrive in Meo Vac in the late afternoon for a free evening.

Overnight in Meo Vac.

Notes: 

• Trekking route adaptable for fitness levels.
• Appropriate footwear must be worn on treks.
• Programmes are subject to change depending on weather conditions. 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Distances and journey time: Meo Vac - Cao Bang (175 km): 5 hrs 15 mins

After breakfast, drive down to the Nho Que River. Board a boat for a one-hour cruise to gain another perspective of the Ma Pi Leng Pass directly from the river level. Along the way, spot locals fishing.
Upon returning to dry land, drive towards Cao Bang, travelling through more of Northeast Vietnam's scenic rural landscapes. Pass limestone mountain ranges, green valleys and small traditional villages surrounded by a great diversity of agricultural fields, including terraced rice paddies, cornfields and vegetable gardens that form an important part of daily life in the region. Arrive in Cao Bang in the late afternoon for a free evening.

Overnight in Cao Bang.
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Distances and journey time: Cao Bang - Ban Gioc or vice versa (85 km): 2 hrs

Leave Cao Bang city in the morning and head towards the Ban Gioc region at the Chinese border.
Along the way, stop at the Phia Thap hamlet, a picturesque Nung ethnic village specialising in making incense sticks. Stroll through the village to discover daily life and interact with residents. Continue to the blacksmith village of Phuc Sen, famous in Vietnam for its forged iron knives crafted by the Nung community.
Upon arrival at the Sino-Vietnamese border, discover the Ban Gioc Waterfall on the Quay Son River, one of the largest waterfalls in Vietnam. Here, the river serves as a natural border between the two countries. Enjoy a late lunch in a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, continue to Nguom Ngao Cave, one of the most interesting and impressive limestone caves in the northern provinces. Enter the cave and walk for about 1 km to admire spectacular natural formations.
Drive back towards Cao Bang, stopping at the end of the day at the Angel Eye Mountain, also known as God's Eye. This impressive site owes its name to a karst mountain with a circular opening that resembles a pupil looking up to the sky. Located in the heart of a beautiful valley with a lake, the spot is highly regarded as being an iconic spot for photography. Return to Cao Bang city in the late afternoon.

Overnight in Cao Bang.

Notes: During the dry season, the water level at Ban Gioc Waterfall may be reduced.
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Distances and journey time: Cao Bang - Ba Be (135 km): 3.5 hrs

Depart in the morning, heading towards Ba Be Lake.
In the afternoon, board a boat to cruise down the Nang River, winding through wild and rugged landscapes. Admire the impressive limestone cliffs and lush tropical forests lining the riverbanks. Disembark at Puong Cave to explore its recesses adorned with impressive stalagmites and stalactites. Afterward, relax and take in the scenery or swim in the cool waters of Vietnam’s largest natural lake.

Overnight  in Ba Be.
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Distances and journey time: Ba Be Lake - Hanoi (210 km): 4.5 hrs

After breakfast, begin heading back to Hanoi. Gradually leave behind the forest and mountains surrounding Ba Be Lake to rejoin the fertile valleys of the Red River Delta.

Lunch at a local restaurant.

Arrive in Hanoi in the early afternoon for the rest of the day at leisure.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch